. >> reporter: but in libya, the fbi is just starting an investigation. besides the four murders, and the riots faced by president obama, there's the bloody rebellion in syria, and new pressure on the u.s. from israel to get tougher on iran over nuclear weapons. republicans are implying president obama is wavering. >> this is a moment for americans to show our closest allies in the middle east that we stand with them unequivocally -- unequivocally -- no mixed signals. >> reporter: the middle east suddenly a factor in the race for the white house. prior to the current crisis, the nbc news "wall street journal" poll showed president obama with a significant advantage over mitt romney. in terms of what voters thought their competence was on foreign policy and national security. i'm steve handelsman, news4. >>> in our decision 2012, coverage tonight, both campaigns paused to remember the lives lost in libya. mitt romney and first lady michelle obama, they made campaign stops in the battleground state of virginia today. romney in fairfax, the first lady two st